The Curious History of Crap — From Space Junk to Actual Poop
Ziya Tong writes a brief history of human waste — from “night soil” to space junk — in an excerpt from her new book, The Reality Bubble.
How My Instagram Hacker Changed My Life
After her sought-after five-letter Instagram handle was stolen by an Iranian hacker, professor Negar Mottahedeh opens up the door to her former homeland, striking up an unlikely friendship with the thief to learn more about a man struggling to earn a living in an economy compromised by 35 years of US-led sanctions.
How the Internet Gave Mail-Order Brides the Power
With divorce illegal and online dating popular, it’s hard for women in the Philippines to protect their interests when they get involved with Western men, but a new generation with new technology is reshaping the online mating ritual to finally help tip the scales in women’s’ favor.
The Troll Taunter
Andrew McMillen writes on how one young Wikipedia admin fights back at trolls by raising the profile of notable women in science, one new Wikipedia page at a time.
What Was Virtual Reality?
At Backchannel, a reprint of John Perry Barlow’s seminal 1990 essay on Virtual Reality, “Being in Nothingness.”
Why Homejoy Failed
Can home cleaning services be Uber-ified? How a promising startup grew fast and failed hard.
The Heroin Heroine of Reddit
How a former heroin addict turned public health advocate uses the internet to save lives.
Our Hiring Process is Broken. Can a Hackathon Fix It?
Hiring managers often reject perfectly good applicants because they didn’t go to “prestige” schools or because the applicant might not be a good “cultural fit.” Is there a better way to hire?